Funding

Every scientist knows that funding is critical to research.

To guide you through the funding minefield, PlantSci has brought together all information relating to funding in one place. Whether you’re looking for current funding opportunities, recently awarded grants or information on funding bodies that support UK plant science research, look no further.

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Highlighting the latest opportunities

By simply selecting from the options above you’ll be able to find calls and initiatives in a particular area, from a particular funder or in a specific category such as fellowships. You can also search for opportunities by deadline e.g. 1 month from now.

We endeavour to include as many opportunities as we can, but inevitably we might miss some out. It might be useful to have a look at the following pages for more funding calls: Innovate UK, BBSRC, NERC, Horizon 2020 and ERC. If you know of other opportunities that we should be listed please get in contact.

An ESF Research Networking Programme is a networking activity bringing together nationally funded research activities for four to five years, to address a major scientific issue or a science-driven topic of research infrastructure, at the European le...

An ESF Research Networking Programme is a networking activity bringing together nationally funded research activities for four to five years, to address a major scientific issue or a science-driven topic of research infrastructure, at the European level with the aim of advancing the frontiers of science. Key objectives include: creating interdisciplinary fora; sharing knowledge and expertise; developing new techniques; training young scientists.

An ESF Research Networking Programme is a networking activity bringing together nationally funded research activities for four to five years, to address a major scientific issue or a science-driven topic of research infrastructure, at the European le...

The Strategic Tools and Resources Development Fund aims to
1. Support small or short-duration pump-priming research projects and/or bring together communities for collaborative purposes, including resource or standards development, in are...

The Strategic Tools and Resources Development Fund aims to
1. Support small or short-duration pump-priming research projects and/or bring together communities for collaborative purposes, including resource or standards development, in areas of strategic importance
2. Initiate novel technology or methods driven activities to facilitate the development and uptake of new approaches to enable advances in bioscience, within the remit of the BBSRC Strategic Plan 2010-2015 (see releated links) and the strategic research priorities
It is anticipated that successful grants will not exceed £120k (this figure refers to the BBSRC contribution to the project, i.e. 80% of the full economic cost).

The Strategic Tools and Resources Development Fund aims to
1. Support small or short-duration pump-priming research projects and/or bring together communities for collaborative purposes, including resource or standards development, in are...

The CASE Studentship Open Competition promotes collaboration between the research community and the end-users of research. It aims to achieve both a benefit to the end-user and to the student. This is a 'directed' scheme.
NERC will be holdin...

The CASE Studentship Open Competition promotes collaboration between the research community and the end-users of research. It aims to achieve both a benefit to the end-user and to the student. This is a 'directed' scheme.
NERC will be holding its annual CASE Studentship Open Competition later in 2010, with a closing date of 14 October 2010 at 16:00. Around thirty-five studentships will be awarded. A Je-S application form will be available from 1 September.
mpact is one of the scheme's main criteria. Applications must be able to demonstrate the potential for societal or economic impact through collaboration with the CASE partner, as well as the provision of high quality training in research skills.
A CASE studentship is a PhD studentship during which the student enhances their training by spending between 3 and 18 months with the CASE partner in a workplace outside the academic environment.

The CASE Studentship Open Competition promotes collaboration between the research community and the end-users of research. It aims to achieve both a benefit to the end-user and to the student. This is a 'directed' scheme.
NERC will be holdin...

BBRF aims to support the bioscience research community with the establishment, maintenance and enhancement of infrastructures, support high quality bioinformatics and biological resources that align with BBSRC key research priorities as stated in BBS...

BBRF aims to support the bioscience research community with the establishment, maintenance and enhancement of infrastructures, support high quality bioinformatics and biological resources that align with BBSRC key research priorities as stated in BBSRC strategic plan, and to also supply long-term funding to provide a stable environment for resource development and provision.
Applicants can apply for funding for the following types of applications:
1. Establishment and maintenance of a new resource that would be applicable to a broad BBSRC user community
2. Maturation and subsequent maintenance of a project-based resource into a community-based one
3. Development and subsequent maintenance of an existing community resource to increase its relevance to a broad BBSRC user group
4. Interfacing and integrating resources to better meet user need
It is essential to demonstrate strong demand from the UK bioscience community together with an appropriate access policy.
The budget for the call is in the region of £6.5M, subject to the quality of applications received. Grants are available for up to 5 years
Intention to submit forms must be submitted by 6th October 2010 5pm
Full applications must be submitted by 24th November 2010 4pm

BBRF aims to support the bioscience research community with the establishment, maintenance and enhancement of infrastructures, support high quality bioinformatics and biological resources that align with BBSRC key research priorities as stated in BBS...

Proposal to address any topic with in the BBSRC portfolio ie research in plants; microbes; animals (including humans); and tools and technology underpinning biological research can be submitted to one of the BBSRC committees.

Aim: The Royal Society has merged its Conference Grants and Short Visits scheme into the new International Travel Grants. From now on travel grants are no longer run as two separate schemes, but will be managed under one single programme. Applican...

Aim: The Royal Society has merged its Conference Grants and Short Visits scheme into the new International Travel Grants. From now on travel grants are no longer run as two separate schemes, but will be managed under one single programme. Applicants can apply for either Conference Participation or International Collaboration.
The Royal Society's objectives include strengthening of UK science by providing support to excellent individuals to engage with the best science around the world as well as supporting science communication. The International Travel Grant scheme aims to contribute to fulfilling this objective by supporting international collaborations and the participation of UK based scientists in overseas conferences.
The objectives of the International Travel Grants scheme are to enable UK based scientists to:
Facilitate collaborations with overseas scientists in order to explore opportunities for building lasting networks
Participate (excludes organising/selection committee and poster contributions) in overseas conferences, workshops and seminars which are of particular strategic importance in order to engage with scientists (available to UK scientists only)
Subjects Covered: All areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine.
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed a PhD and hold a fixed term contract or permanent position at an eligible UK institution.
The International Travel Grant Scheme is available for all countries outside of the UK.
Length of Tenure: For conference participation, a maximum of 10 days. For international collaboration a maximum of 12 weeks.
Value of Grant: A maximum of £4000

Aim: The Royal Society has merged its Conference Grants and Short Visits scheme into the new International Travel Grants. From now on travel grants are no longer run as two separate schemes, but will be managed under one single programme. Applican...

Industry Interchange Programme supports the short-term exchange, in either direction, of researchers between the science base and industry. The objective of the programme is to support interchanges that provide strategic advantage to the UK science b...

Industry Interchange Programme supports the short-term exchange, in either direction, of researchers between the science base and industry. The objective of the programme is to support interchanges that provide strategic advantage to the UK science base and industry arising from reciprocal access to facilities, expertise and/or knowledge, and an increased understanding of scientific issues of common concern. Individual awards are typically up to £50,000.

The next closing date for applications is 1 October 2010, 4 pm.

Industry Interchange Programme supports the short-term exchange, in either direction, of researchers between the science base and industry. The objective of the programme is to support interchanges that provide strategic advantage to the UK science b...

The David Philips fellowship is aimed at scientists who have demonstrated high potential and who wish to establish themselves as independent researchers.
Awards are for 5 years, and include personal salary and a significant research support grant.
...

The David Philips fellowship is aimed at scientists who have demonstrated high potential and who wish to establish themselves as independent researchers.
Awards are for 5 years, and include personal salary and a significant research support grant.
Applicants should not exceed 10 years in active postgraduate research studies and postdoctoral research employment and should have no less than 3 years of active postdoctoral research experience. Applicants can submit a proposal in any area of science within the BBSRC portfolio

The David Philips fellowship is aimed at scientists who have demonstrated high potential and who wish to establish themselves as independent researchers.
Awards are for 5 years, and include personal salary and a significant research support grant.
...